Case 26

On 16 September 2010 the worker lodged an Application for Compensation alleging that she had suffered a psychological injury as a result of an incident at work and weekly benefits were paid for loss of wages and medical expenses from the 7 September 2010 to the 31 December 2010. The employer, the operators of a prison, became aware that the worker had been working for Queensland Corrections, and brought this to the attention of WorkCover. Investigations found the worker had a second job in exactly the same capacity as her injury employment and she had not ceased this work. She had failed to disclose this work to WorkCover, whilst also supplying medical certificates stating she was unable to work at all.

The worker was consequently charged with two charges of fraud and one charge for providing false and misleading information to WorkCover. On 20 October 2011 the worker pleaded guilty and was given a six month wholly suspended sentence for 18 months, with a conviction recorded and ordered to pay restitution of $20,049.14 plus legal costs.